How to afford a baby in today's economic climate With the rising cost of childcare, utilities and essentials many working parents are delaying having children until they can afford it. But what if they never can? Each year we are told that the cost of raising a child has risen and the figures quoted are in the thousands or even hundreds of thousands depending on the cut off age. But having a baby doesn't have to cost a fortune.Here are my top tips on how to afford a baby 1 Buy secondhand for your baby wherever possible. Borrow from family and friends and buy everything else at a themed baby and children’s market like mum2mum market. Google ‘nearly new sale’ to find a nearly new sale near you. Most baby clothes and equipment are used for a very short time and have very little wear and are perfect secondhand buys. The only things you need to buy new are a mattress and car seat and there are serious savings to be made. At a mum2mum market you will pay around 30% of the new price for large items like cots and pushchairs, and secondhand clothes, toys and books for around £1.You can pick up everything you need, from bedding and towels to a secondhand designer pram, large toys and ride-ons. Arrive early and queue to get the best bargains! Savings: The sky’s the limit…. The more you buy the more you save! 2 Breastfeed. It’s free! If you don’t get the hang of it straight away there are free breastfeeding clinics and support groups who will help you get it right. Ask your midwife or health visitor for details. Savings: £500 on formula, bottles etc 3 Use real nappies. Disposables cost a fortune as well as the earth. You can disposable nappies in the first two and a half years. 21st century real nappies are a world away from the terry towelling squares of the seventies and are no more gross than changing a disposable nappy …. In fact they smell much less (it’s the chemicals that make the disposibles smell). Your local council should have discounted nappy started packs and demonstration sessions or ‘nappucinos’ to get you started. Savings: Over £1000 on the first child and more if you use the nappies on subsequent children 4 Look at flexible work options which might allow you to work from home, work around your children and minimise the amount of childcare you need to pay for. Could you work flexible hours to fit around your partners work or work evenings and weekends? Could running your own business be a better option? A mum2mum market franchise allows mums to do just this- our flexible, family friendly franchises are available across the UK. www.franchisebusinessformums.co.uk Savings: A thousand pounds a month minimum for full time nursery in London 5 Sell your outgrown stuff and recoup some of the cost. If you buy quality goods and take good care of them you can sell them on at a mum2mum market nearly new sale when you are finished with them. You keep 100% of the takings on the day and will recoup some of the outlay spent. Visit www.mum2mummarket.co.uk for more information and stall booking. Mum2mummarket organise baby and children's nearly new sales where mums sell to mums. Parents can sell and save at our award winning pop-up indoor markets. www.mum2mummarket.co.uk
I have been meaning to produce a list for ages of great things to buy second hand for your baby and it's so tricky. There are so many great second hand bargains and you really can find anything and everything imaginable to buy for babies and kids.
The following are my top mum2mum market buys for a new baby- and if you are new to parenting you probably don't realise half of these exist!
Grobags.
These are a parenting secret and a godsend. Grobags are baby sleeping bags that you zip baby into so they stay warm and cosy all night without kicking the covers off. Suitable when baby reaches 8lbs (so from birth if baby is big enough) Mum2mum market top tips:
A Bouncer / Jumperoo
You need to wear baby out so it will sleeeeeep!!! And once baby can crawl they are the perfect place to spend 15 minutes while you make a cup of tea/ shower/ get dressed without having eyes in the back of your head. This is the best bit of baby kit I bought! Mum2mum market top tips:
Retail price: from £85…….. Mum2mum market price £30 -£40
Cot sheets, towels, muslins and blankets
The cost of all these little things really add up. You really can't have too many..... it really takes the pressure off keeping up with the washing...... If you have a sicky baby you'll get through a mountain of sheets in a week. Mum2mum market top tip:
A bath seat
(shown at rear of photo with a baby wetsuit in the foreground) Most parents realise they need a bath seat of some sort at the point where they are struggling to hold onto a slippery newborn in the bath and need an extra pair of hands! A bath seat is the answer- baby is held securely in the seat leaving your hands free to wash them or grab a towel. One of these makes bathtime so much more relaxing for you and your baby! Mum2mum market top tips: There are two sorts of bath seat.
Retail price £10 – 15 ………… Mum2mum market price £3 –£5!
Small toys
Babies love variety and you'll be amazed at the mountain of brightly coloured, rattley, crinkly toys you'll accumulate in the first year. The savings to be made by buying secondhand are huge Mum2mum market top tip:
Travel blackout blind
These are great for holidays or visiting family. They attach to any size window with suckers and pack down into a pouch. Also great at home when your baby is ready to start the day at 4.30am and you are not! Retail price around £30……. Mum2mum market price £10!
Ride on toys
Every little boys dream....... their first set of wheels! A favourite ride- on will get years of use. These bees, called 'Wheely bugs' are brilliant as the wheels spin 360 degrees so they move brilliantly in all directions and are a bit less scratchy on wooden floors. A great first birthday present! Mum2mum market top tips:
|
About
|